WASHINGTON, DC, United States (AFP) — US Senate Democrats blocked a closely watched police reform bill yesterday, arguing that the Republican measure introduced after George Floyd's killing by police does not go far enough.

Attention now turns to the House, where Democrats intend to pass their own, more sweeping police reform Bill today.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said his party's measure was a “first step” that would allow floor debate on police reforms, but that Democrats balked.

And instead of direct mandates, the Republican measure would incentivise change by denying federal grants to police departments that do not end the tactics of chokeholds or no-knock warrants.

“The Republican Bill does not even attempt ONE significant reform to bring more accountability to police officers who are guilty of misconduct,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer fumed.